North-South Tollway gets new name, opens extension

After three years of construction, Will and DuPage county drivers are expected to have 20 percent less travel time between counties by the end of the month.

Samantha Nelson, snelson@mysuburbanlife.com

After three years of construction, Will and DuPage county drivers are expected to have 20 percent less travel time between counties by the end of the month.

The 12.5-mile south extension of Interstate 355 is scheduled to open sometime in November, following a grand opening and renaming ceremony Sunday, Nov. 11, said Illinois Tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis. The construction finished on schedule, with the tollway promising work would be completed by the end of 2007. The extension will run through 13 municipalities and townships including Downers Grove Township, Woodridge and Bolingbrook.
On the Web
For more information on the Interstate 355 extension grand opening visit illinoistollway.com.

“Now if you’re trying to get anywhere in the Will County area, your options are limited to local arterials that have a lot of traffic,” McGinnis said. “This is also anticipated to be beneficial in giving the large trucks an interstate route instead of using local arterials as well.”

A unanimous resolution from the Illinois legislature, introduced in part by State Rep. Patricia “Patti” Bellock (R-47th) of Hinsdale, renamed the entire 30 mile tollway from Army Trail Road to Interstate 80 Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most signs still will only have room to give the road’s interstate designation, but memorial signs will be erected at both ends of the tollway.

Progress on the extension was apparent this weekend with the opening of a new ramp from southbound Interstate 355 to Interstate 55 toward Joliet. The entrance to the new ramp will not change.

“Communities and counties have long been supporting, lobbying, begging and pleading for the construction of this roadway,” McGinnis said.

The Nov. 11 ceremony will give a unique chance to walk along the tollway with concerts, food and booths from local governments and groups setting up along the road. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with a 20-mile bike ride by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to raise money for a bike path along the I-355 south extension. The tollway already has set aside a corridor of property for the purpose and will be donating some leftover resources including a bridge across the Des Plaines River Valley.

Some programs are still being finalized, but McGinnis said the tollway is working closely with the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the governor’s office to ensure veterans are the VIPs of the ceremony. A 5K run, walk and roll will also raise money for Salute Inc., which provides services to veterans.